I’ve been spending a lot of time on Seesmic lately and from time to time someone crossposts a YouTube video.  This one by Kroperx got me thinking.

Back in the days of Dos, I remember as a handful of folks started playing with Windows.  Of course 3.1 is the version that most  sticks in my head, the version that I first was exposed to but in those days Windows or not it was still DOS for most of us and Windows was little more then a click program launcher.

Once Windows 95 came about seems to be when the mid-geeks started playing around with Linux.  Of course in those days the school of thought was that it’s most DOS-like (compared to Win95) .

Ironically now that DOS and the comand line is all but gone from Windows Vista, more and more people are going to Linux (Ubunto) for it’s Windows-like (but free) feel.

Now.. here’s what I’ve been seeing.  Many people (usually triggered by a Windows frustration) jump on to the Linux bandwagon.  For weeks, sometimes months they rant and rave about how wonderful it is.  But almost always, little by little they quietly migrate back.

My question to you is… Is there any “joe average” user out there that has converted to a non mainstream operating system and has stuck with it for a significant length of time?  Now I don’t want to hear from the die-hard Linux fans, we know you’re out there and you live and breath Linux.  I’m talking about joe 6-pack who knows enough to maybe burn a CD but essentially uses his computer as an appliance.

There’s just so many comments to make I just don’ tknow where to begin!  One has to wonder the reasoning the Microsoft think tank gave to the marketing department when it suggested that giving away die-cast 1998 Corevette C5 Convertibles with Windows logos on it is a good way to encourage I.T. directors to deply Vista.

I have to admin, this is pretty cool cubeicle art, makes me want to get rid of the flat-panal display and go back to a tub because this would look great sitting on top of a monitor!!

Okay guys I’m stumped on this one, let me present the details in the hopes someone can guide me in the right direction…

1. Clients XP Pro machine had a fatal motherboard failure. 
2. Username and Passwords were established for all family members that used this machine and the “Keep personal folders private” option was used.
3. I removed hard drive from dead machine and installed it in a USB enclosure.
4. I can now navigate the drive and manipulate all OS and public files.
5. Files in the \Documents and Settings\username tree generate “F:\Documents and Settings\username is not accessible. Access is denied”
6. I noticed in the properties for this drive as USB the [ ] Make this folder private option is UN-checked.
7. I do have the usernames and passwords for all accounts on this machine, this is not a hack attempt.

What I’ve tried so far:

1. Created a shortcut to the folder and attempted to invoke “run using different credentials”, but that option is grayed out.
2. Create user acconts with same usernames and passwords on the new host computer and logged in with those credentials to access USB drive.  Same failure as noted in #5 above.

Good karma to anyone that can help me on this one!  Thanks.